‘ISSUE’ is a series that delves into the sensibilities and thought processes of creators worldwide, serving as a catalyst for new inspiration. In ‘ISSUE #16’, we interview Kenta and Kou., who share their coffee journey primarily via social media, to uncover the stories and intentions behind their creative output.
Creating an Environment as a Manager
Kenta first became passionate about coffee during his university days, after starting a part-time job he found by chance. Now, as a manager at , which operates seven locations nationwide with a focus on Fukuoka, he continues to work on the floor as a barista. What drives his daily engagement with coffee?
“There’s a perception that working in food service is tough because you’re on your feet all day, but I strive to create an environment where everyone, including the staff, can enjoy their work.” For Kenta, enjoying his work every day is more important than the challenges of being a manager.
One of ’s strengths is its team of highly motivated staff, mostly in their early twenties, who get along well and are eager to improve. After hours, they often gather for joint practice sessions, and some locations even organize group trips for all staff.
Many customers visit the café after seeing posts on social media. Kenta spares no effort to provide service that exceeds expectations, developing new sweets, offering coffee pairings, and creating a relaxing atmosphere to meet diverse needs. He is especially mindful of the ambiance from a staff perspective as well.
Image by Kenta
The Affinity Between Photography and Coffee
Currently, Kenta shares photographs of coffee from various perspectives, primarily on Instagram. Although he wasn’t originally knowledgeable about photography, the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point.
With restrictions on going out, he began creating photo and video content in earnest, hoping to let customers who couldn’t visit in person—and coffee lovers nationwide—enjoy coffee from afar.
Image by Kenta
Among his posts, the latte art photographs are particularly eye-catching. At major international competitions, preliminary rounds often include a photo selection. Kenta pays close attention to presentation—shooting from directly above to highlight the design, considering light and reflections, and ensuring nothing extraneous is in the frame. He even purchased a Canon camera for competitions.
However, it’s surprising that most of his social media posts are shot with an iPhone.
“Most customers use iPhones to take photos, so I try to match that environment,” he says. Many customers visit him wanting to learn how to shoot in the same way.
Social media not only allows for easy nationwide outreach but also motivates people to visit the café in person. The desire to experience the same coffee and atmosphere leads customers to the shop, and to exceed their expectations, Kenta continually develops new menu items and improves service quality. Each cup of coffee born from this cycle offers a truly fulfilling experience.
“Coffee is not just about taste and aroma—it’s also something to be enjoyed visually,” he says. Capturing coffee in photographs and videos is meaningful, and while he feels the appeal of sharing coffee through images, he also candidly admits, “I want people to enjoy their coffee while it’s hot and delicious, so I hope they don’t spend too long photographing it.”
What began as a part-time job at a coffee shop found by chance has led Kenta to his current role as manager. It’s no exaggeration to say that coffee introduced him to the world of photography.
Kenta
Kenta began his journey as a barista after starting a part-time job at a coffee stand during university. He has placed in the top 16 and 32 at the ‘FREE POUR LATTE ART GRAND PRIX’, a world-class latte art competition. Currently, he manages , which operates locations in Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Osaka, providing a community space for travelers and creating environments that inspire journeys.
Instagram: ＠ken___ken_
A Physical Therapist with a Profound Love for Coffee
Kou. describes himself as a ‘physical therapist with a profound love for coffee’. Though he works in a field unrelated to coffee, he energetically shares coffee-related content on Instagram. What is it about coffee that captivates him so deeply, and how did his passion begin?
About ten years ago, Kou. became enamored with coffee. While working as a physical therapist, helping patients improve their physical function and quality of life, he realized that his own life lacked quality. Thinking, “It would be cool to enjoy coffee on my days off,” he bought a coffee grinder and beans, and coffee became a new hobby that enriched his life.
Image by Kou.
Kou.’s perspective on coffee is unique. He finds particular appeal in the way “producers, logistics, roasters, baristas, consumers, and everyone involved come together as a circle to create delicious coffee.”
However, his motivation to share on social media came from a different place.
“In the medical and care fields, we’re always close to death, but during COVID-19, I felt that many people in general became more aware of the fear of death and loneliness,” Kou. reflects. Amidst the gloom of constant bad news and the difficulty of going out, he began to wonder, “What can I enjoy at home without going outside?” This led him to start sharing his coffee hobby online.
Even now, with the pandemic subsiding, Kou. continues to post content that delights coffee lovers—featuring rare foreign equipment, latte art, and humorous videos—offering a wide variety of coffee experiences not often seen in Japan.
Cameras and the Allure of Photographing Coffee
Browsing Kou.’s social media, one finds a gallery of coffee photographs taken in diverse settings, almost as if the rich aroma wafts through the screen. Inspired by sharing on social media, he began shooting with a mirrorless camera.
“At first, I did everything—photos and videos—on my iPhone, but I decided to take a step up and bought a mirrorless camera,” Kou. laughs. He uses the CANON EOS Kiss M2, which he read about in a magazine as being user-friendly.
Though he admits he’s still not familiar with all the settings, Kou.’s instinct to capture moments that move him results in deeply evocative photographs.
Image by Kou.
Although Kou. only photographs coffee, the reason lies in his genuine love for it.
“Unless you truly love something, you can’t photograph it well. When I shoot coffee, I’m always thinking about how to deliver something special, but I’m not as interested in other subjects, so I can’t photograph them as well,” he says, revealing his sincere approach to coffee.
Even with the same equipment and beans, the way light enters or steam rises is always different. This sense of each moment being unique is part of the allure of photographing coffee.
Kou.’s photographs and videos have resonated with people both in Japan and abroad, inspiring many. He is undoubtedly someone who fully harnesses the value of photography—capturing moments and sharing them with others.
Recently, Kou. has received more work requests related to coffee.
What began as a hobby led him to share its appeal during the pandemic, and now, through his love of coffee, photography has become inseparable from his life. The power of photography lies not only in the images themselves but also in their ability to communicate information easily and richly, and to convey the creator’s intent—an essential force for many.
